sets 1 of 2

Definition of setsnext
present tense third-person singular of set
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as in spawns
to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop the hen set for days

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as in sits
chiefly dialect to rest on the buttocks or haunches come over and set for a spell

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as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off

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sets

2 of 2

noun

plural of set
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale

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as in decors
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production built sets for the play

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sets
Verb
What sets Luckin apart has been its ability to build a robust pool of private user traffic through its smartphone ordering app, said Mingchao Xiao, founder of Zhimeng Trends Consulting. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Feb. 2026 Pivotal's quality management system is also certified by SAE International, which sets global aviation safety standards. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026 Amazon has plenty more Lego BrickHeadz sets for builders of varying skill levels. Brittany Anas, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026 Knausgaard sets his story in mid-1980s London, where two aspiring photographers named Kristian and Hans try to find their footing in the art world. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 Entry-level Senate staffers earn $55,106 a year, according to the Congressional Research Service, while the House sets a $45,000 minimum salary for full-time aides — both well above the national average entry-level pay of $33,318. Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026 Lunya Pima Wide-leg Pants What really sets the Lunya pants apart is their thoughtful design. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026 Their low sugar content also sets them apart nutritionally and supports metabolic health. Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 Feb. 2026 That sets Chavez and Crump up to be the future of this rivalry, which dates back to 1979. Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
Whether the game is a blowout or comes down to a fateful goal-line stand, loyalists of one team may leap for joy, while others might lash out in anger, pummeling their TV sets or sinking into a deep postgame funk. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 That event included a lineup of multiple DJs that rotated sets at their downtown location. Alexa Stone, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026 The top seller is 20 percent off in honor of Presidents’ Day, alongside no shortage of other Coop favorites like maternity pillows, cooling pillowcases, hotel-quality sheet sets, and highly breathable duvet covers for all seasons. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026 Using clean scissors, snip a section of vine about 4 to 6 inches long with several sets of leaves. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026 The jars come in sets of four or eight, plus a variety of different sizes and colors to suit your schedule and style. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026 Perform 2–3 sets of 8–12 repetitions. Jenna Anderson, Health, 6 Feb. 2026 But even with such a high ratio of tune-in, 17% of the sets that were on during the Eagles’ win over the Chiefs were trained on something else. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Then, they are manually placed on Multi Electrode Arrays (MEAs), a grid of tiny electrodes on a biocompatible substrate chip that records and stimulates neurons using 32 electrodes grouped into four sets of eight. Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
  • But reading the profile of Mohamad Eisa and Yolka Gessen left me with a kind of dread, the kind that comes when a spin-off from a hit show spawns a spin-off of its own, promising/threatening hundreds of new hours of content to keep up with.
    Jessa Crispin, Air Mail, 24 Jan. 2026
  • At the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Nadella sat for a conversation with the Forum’s interim co-chair, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, explaining that if AI growth spawns solely from investment, then that could be signs of a bubble.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Some of that $370 billion in exports could be at risk if the EU chooses to buy those goods and products elsewhere.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026
  • If Detroit chooses to waive a player to create a roster spot for Jenkins, Isaac Jones could be a likely candidate.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • That clear size difference could be important for an Elko defense that values run-stopping ability and strength at the point of attack in a linebacker.
    Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The equal-weight S&P 500—a notional index that values each of the 500 companies equally rather than by total market cap—is actually at a record high this morning because the non-tech companies inside it are doing rather well.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Patton said the treaty sits below Australia's alliance with the United States and its security agreement with Papua New Guinea, and is unlikely to clarify whether Indonesia would come to Australia's defense in the event of a regional conflict.
    NINIEK KARMINI, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Robinson, nicknamed The Admiral for his stint in the Navy, often sits courtside at games and has spoken with Castle at the practice facility in the past.
    Jared Weiss, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • With endurance as its defining advantage, the aircraft aims to support future mission networks that demand persistent sensing and rapid decision-making at scale.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Savannah Guthrie political beliefs Savannah Guthrie aims to keep her political opinions out of her work and stick to reporting the truth.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Whatever the Supreme Court decides, 82 percent of American adults believe the president must obey the decision.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Hassett added that tariff revenue would be only one potential funding source, noting that Congress ultimately decides how federal revenue — including taxes and tariffs — is spent through the appropriations process, according to remarks reported by USA TODAY.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cross Sophie, a maid from the working class, is far from pleased when Benedict secures her a job at his own family's home.
    Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The magnetic driver tip secures bits firmly in place, preventing slips and ensuring precision.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Where to Stay The 1850 Hotel The 20-suite 1850 Hotel puts you right in the heart of Boone, a short walk from charming boutiques, coffee shops, and bars.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
  • When the weather allows, outdoor seating puts diners on eye level with the skyline.
    Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

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